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Palau National Framework on Early Childhood, RPPL 8-3 2009

PALAU

EIGHTH OLBIIL ERA KELULAU
RPPL No. 8-3
First Regular Session, January 2009
(Re: as Senate Bill No. 8-4, SD2, HD1)
A BILL FOR AN ACT

To provide a statutory framework for a national early childhood comprehensive system that can be used to improve the health and well-being of all children through culturally appropriate and evidence-based practices that address the current and emerging developmental issues affecting the child at the family, community and national levels.

THE PEOPLE OF PALAU REPRESENTED IN THE OLBIIL ERA KELULAU DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Short title.  This Act may be cited as the Palau National Framework on Early Childhood.

Section 2. Public policy; legislative findings and history.  The Olbiil Era Kelulau makes the following findings:

(a) The Olbiil Era Kelulau recognizes that it is the obligation of the National Government to develop and provide an integrated system of services for all children.

(b) The promotion and implementation of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child will facilitate optimal development of all children.

(c) As a member of the United Nations, the Republic of Palau has pledged to work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and a framework for a national comprehensive system addressing issues of early childhood development.

(d) The Republic of Palau has pledged to prioritize Early Childhood Education as one of the strategies for Education for All.

(e) As a member of the United Nations, the Republic of Palau has pledged to prioritize the World Fit for Children Goal of providing quality education through working to "expand and improve comprehensive early childhood care and education for girls and boys, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children."

(f) For the best interests of the child, the leaders of our government are committed to supporting the well-being of all children, whether within the family, the community, or the nation.

(g) Research has shown that early comprehensive services for children lead to better health, education and development.

(h) There is a need to establish and implement national policies and programs to ensure the enhancement of our children's physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual development, especially through enabling a safe and healthy living environment that is conducive to a child's education.

(i) There is a need to establish national health indicators for children.

(j) An investment for children today will decrease future health care costs, increase chance for school success, and reduce later societal costs in the Republic.

Section 3. Purpose. This Act shall be construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.

The purposes and policies of this Act are as follows:

(a) to develop and implement quality services to all children, including children with special needs, by creating a nationwide early childhood comprehensive system based on a collaborative agreement between community-based organizations, government agencies and interagency support groups;

(b) to improve the health and education of children in the Republic of Palau;

(c) to increase family knowledge, skills and participation in activities that prevent illness and promote health as well as activities that facilitate education, especially in early childhood;

(d) to protect children from any means of exploitation and other vulnerabilities;

(e) to provide access to a continuum of comprehensive, high quality early childhood programs that meet standards established by the United States Government, the Republic of Palau Government, and international organizations, promote school readiness, and address the needs of the child and family, which may include access to services for families with children with special needs;

(f) to create affordable options for high quality early childhood care, health and education services that are designed flexibly to meet the various needs of families; and

(g) to ensure smooth and effective transition from early childhood to primary school.

Section 4. Definitions.

(a) "Council" means the Palau National Framework on Early Childhood Council.

(b) "Early Childhood" means the years from birth through age 7.

(c) "Transition year" means the earliest year of primary education, for a child aged 5 to 7.

(d) "Child" means a person who has not reached the age of majority as defined in 21 PNC § 105.

(e) "Child with Special Needs" means any disabled child entitled to special assistance appropriate to his or her condition under Article 23, § 2 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

(f) "Minister" means the Minister of Health or person designated to compile information, prepare reports, or perform any functions required or permitted under this Act.

(g) "Health" means the state of optimal physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.

(h) "Family" means a group consisting of parents and their children.  It also means a group of persons connected by blood, by affinity, or by law.

(I) "Development" means the process of growth and differentiation.

(j) "Early Childhood Comprehensive System" means an integrated and evidence-based and community-based program that employs a variety of effective approaches to enhance a child's early growth and development, which includes but is not limited to early learning/literacy and other quality experiences.

(k) "Palau national framework on early childhood" means a framework for the education and care of all children within the Republic, which shall include, but not be limited to, providing a formal structured educational environment that uses all available resources within the Republic.

Section 5. Establishment of a Palau National Framework on Early Childhood Council.

(a) There is hereby established an entity called the Palau National Framework on Early Childhood Council, hereinafter referred to as the "Council."

(b) Members of the Council shall include the following:

(1) 2 representatives of the Bureau of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, appointed by the Minister of Health, one of whom shall be from the Family Health Unit of the Bureau of Public Health;

(2) 1 representative of the Ministry of Education, appointed by the Minister of Education, who shall be from the Special Education Program;

(3) 1 representative of the Palau Community College, appointed by the President of that institution;

(4) 1 representative of the Palau Community Action Agency, appointed by the Executive Director of that organization, who shall be from the Head Start Program

(5) 1 representative of the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, appointed by the Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs;

(6) 1 representative of Mechesil Belau;

(7) 1 representative of Rubekul Belau.

(c) Each member of the Council shall execute and adhere to a collaborative agreement that defines the role and organization of the collaborative groups in the council.

(d) The term of the members of the Palau National Framework on Early Childhood Council shall be provided for in its rules and regulations.

Section 6. Powers, duties and functions of the National Framework on Early Childhood Council.

(a) The Palau National Framework on Early Childhood Council shall have the following powers, duties and functions:

(1) establish the basic guidelines and procedures for the implementation of Palau National Framework on Early Childhood;

(2) develop a plan for a comprehensive and unified system of early childhood care for the Republic of Palau;

(3) conduct a periodic survey and evaluation of early care programs;

(4) coordinate and communicate regularly and provide recommendations to the Ministry of Health and all other collaborative agencies; and

(5) meet at least four times in the year following enactment of this Act; and

(6) shall within one year of enactment of this Act submit to both houses of the Olbiil Era Kelulau a report on the guidelines, plans, and surveys.  The report shall include recommendations for legislation and corresponding funding requirements.

Section 7. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation by Ministry of Health.

(a) The Ministry of Health shall designate an existing entity to serve as the monitoring agency of the Palau National Framework on Early Childhood Council.

(b) The Ministry of Health shall design an internal monitoring and reporting system that allows continuous feedback and focus on quality improvement of the various components within the Palau National Framework on Early Childhood.

(c) The essential purpose is to test the system:

(1) to ensure that it works in a timely and adequate manner;

(2) to identify where changes may be necessary;

(3) to measure accountability, efficiency and efficacy of the system; and

(4) to provide decision makers and stakeholders with data and reports that will support their abilities to make the best decisions possible for the children and families in the Republic of Palau.

(d) The Ministry of Health may contract an external evaluator to assess the progress of the programs within the Palau National Framework on Early Childhood.

Section 9. Effective date.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the President of the Republic of Palau, or upon its becoming law without such approval.

PASSED:  April 23, 2009
Approved this 8th day of May , 2009.

                         /s/                           
Johnson Toribiong
President
Republic of Palau